In 1993 while Gary and Jack were looking for band members, Kenwyn had met up with Dominic Greensmith in London and discussed forming a band. So, the foursome got together, got a house in West London and started to jam.
After recording a couple of tracks, the band spent much of 1994 touring and building up a fan base. They signed to S2, an off-shoot of Sony and supplied them with "Naked" which was used in a TV advert for the Sony Minidisc in which a record company executive hears the track on Minidisc, throws it out of the window disapprovingly, but a young man outside picks it up, listens to it and likes it (demonstrating the format's durability). It would have been very easy for Reef to cash in on this and release Naked, although they would probably have gone the way of Stiltskin and been a one-hit-wonder. Instead, they took their time and a few months later, released "Good Feeling", then "Naked" and then a non-album track "Weird". All of these singles were top 20.
In 1995 Reef released their now Gold debut album "Replenish".
"We wanted our first album, ‘Replenish’, to be a really honest statement. Four people playing in a room and getting something that’s totally their own. It was recorded in the most basic way possible. Minimal room sounds. Up until recently, all I used for effects was a wah-pedal and I only used that on two songs." Kenwyn House.
The follow up to "Replenish" was "Glow", which was more diverse, with the band using different instruments and creating a more interesting style. It spawned the hit singles "Place Your Hands", "Come Back Brighter", "Consideration" and "Yer Old" which increased Reef’s profile in the UK and abroad. On the week of its release, "Glow" went straight to number 1 in the UK album chart.
In 1999 Reef released their third album "Rides". They have even swapped instruments on some tracks with Gary and Dom playing guitar and Jack singing on one song.
"Set The Record Straight" is the highlight of Getaway (Sony, 2000), their fourth album and most commercial work yet.
In total they have had 8 UK top 20 singles.
Place Your Hands remains a party and compilation favourite many years later.
They also headlined at the Reading festival in 1999.
In 2004 Reef took a long break from their constant touring.
Gary appeared at Bristol Academy as a guest DJ on the 28th of February.
Kenwyn House formed a new band called McArthur, while Dominic Greensmith started touring with his new band, Kubb.
Gary and Jack play in rock band THEM IS ME
Gary Stringer, Jack Bessant, Kenywn House & Dominic Greensmith are back together for six live shows in April 2010.
metro
Reef Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you feel it, and that I'm not alone.
It's sometimes frightening and sometimes fragile.
It seems so precious that I don't want it to
Personal feeling shared with each other.
We have been cooped up, but we have surely grown.
Sometimes exchanges can be intensive,
In Reef's song "Metro," the lyrics describe the rush of emotions that occur when two people are together. The singer acknowledges that both he and his partner experience the same emotions, and that they are interconnected in their feelings. This bond between them is described as both frightening and fragile, highlighting the importance of preserving and cherishing it. The singer explicitly states that he doesn't want their relationship to end and wants to maintain the intimate moments shared between them.
The lyrics of "Metro" portray a message of the deep connection between two people and the emotions that bind them. Their relationship is growing, but they also acknowledge that it is intense and can be perilous. This song expresses the importance of the emotional bonds people share, and how these connections shape and strengthen them.
Line by Line Meaning
Rushes inside me, when were together.
I feel an intense excitement whenever we're in each other's company.
I know you feel it, and that I'm not alone.
I am certain that you share this feeling with me, and I don't feel isolated.
It's sometimes frightening and sometimes fragile.
Our connection is occasionally scary, and it can be delicate at other times.
It seems so precious that I don't want it to
Our bond is so valuable that I have a strong desire to preserve it no matter what.
We have been cooped up, but we have surely grown.
We've been confined to a limited space, but we've undoubtedly matured as a result of it.
Sometimes exchanges can be intensive,
Occasionally, our conversations can be intense and profound.
Sometimes It's stupid but I don't want it to end.
At times, our interactions may seem foolish, but I'm not willing to let them come to a halt.
Contributed by Grace O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
M Mc
Great band so underrated I saw them in The Krazy House Liverpool in about 95 still one of the best gigs I've been to.
Jon Mears
Underrated track. Belter.